Tex-Mex is a popular term for a lot of Mexican food, but it was first used in 1877 as a name for the Texas Mexican Railway in South Texas. The term gradually evolved to describe Tejanos, Texan descendants of the original Spanish Settlers of Coahuila. Eventually, the term evolved to describe Tejano cuisine.
Baja Mex Grill, famous for serving up flavorful Tex-Mex food, is often called a Mexican restaurant. But is there a real difference between them? While some people use the terms interchangeably, there’s a marked difference between Tex-Mex food and authentic Mexican cuisine.
The Line Between Tex-Mex & Mexican
The terms Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine began to evolve with time and started to blur with one another. It’s not strange to find foods considered Tex-Mex on the same menu as traditional Mexican dishes. But each side has distinct characteristics that make it obvious which a dish would fall under.
Tex-Mex
First introduced in Texas in the late 1800s, this is what the state’s residents enjoyed and began making at home using the available ingredients to them at the time. It also accommodates more American tastes in food, changing some of the spices and flavors.
Deeply rooted in the Tejano Culture, Tex-Mex cuisine derives from authentic Mexican food but uses very characteristically American ingredients. Beef, yellow cheddar, wheat flour, and black beans are less common in authentic Mexican cuisine.
Mexican Cuisine
This type of cuisine dates back to Mayan Indian times and the Aztec empire. These two cultures fused to create foods that incorporate corn tortillas, chili peppers, wild game, and more. Pork and other kitchen ingredients such as dairy, herbs, and garlic are now characteristic of Mexican food.
Authentic Mexican cuisine is usually cooked in iron skillets, steamed, or fried. Salsa, tomatillos, tamales, and enchiladas are classic Mexican foods.
Which Is Better & More Popular?
Neither one is better than the other; both types of cuisine are still much enjoyed by people throughout North America. Some people simply have a preference. For example, authentic Mexican food is spicier than its Tex-Mex counterparts. But for people who prefer bold flavors and more familiar ingredients, Tex-Mex is the answer.
Today, fajitas, nachos, and other yellow-cheese heavy dishes considered Tex-Mex are inextricable from association with Mexican culture. At the same time, more people continue to seek out traditional Mexican dishes for a flavor experience. But at the end of the day, Americans with Mexican heritage and without continue to enjoy both cuisines.
Two Sides to the Same Great Flavors
There’s no real winner between the two—both cuisines are a flavor adventure worth exploring. And depending on the geographical location, subtle differences make these dishes more palatable or interesting. Finding out the differences between them helps you appreciate the other.
Baja Mex Grill is proud to continue serving great flavors and meals for everyone looking for Tex-Mex foods or Mexican dishes. Contact us today to ask about reservations or see what we offer at the bar.
Visit Baja Mex Grill Today!
Texas is full of Mexican restaurants. Approximately 45,139 restaurants serving Mexican food are found all over our big state, the second-highest in the entire nation! It’s one of America’s all-time favorite cuisines. But with so many options all over Texas, patrons have started becoming more discerning about where they get their Mexican food fix.
Baja Mex Grill, as a top Mexican restaurant in the area, takes pride in ensuring that we continue to serve delicious, flavorful dishes to our customers.